List of senators calling on Akin to quit keeps growing

Todd Akin says he's staying in the Missouri Senate race. But the list of senators telling him to bow out keeps growing.

Several GOP senators who had been scheduled to appear at a fundraiser on his behalf have all backed out – including the likes of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, NRSC Chairman John Cornyn, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt and tea party favorite Mike Lee of Utah.

Here’s a list so far of Akin’s would-be colleagues who have called on him to withdraw his candidacy, or at least strongly urged him to rethink his bid:

Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, along with former Missouri Republican Sens. John Ashcroft, Kit Bond, John Danforth and Jim Talent: “We do not believe it serves the national interest for Congressman Todd Akin to stay in this race. The issues at stake are too big, and this election is simply too important. The right decision is to step aside.”

Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown: “As a husband and father of two young women, I found Todd Akin’s comments about women and rape outrageous, inappropriate and wrong. There is no place in our public discourse for this type of offensive thinking. Not only should he apologize, but I believe Rep. Akin’s statement was so far out of bounds that he should resign the nomination for US Senate in Missouri.”

North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, via Twitter: “Congressman Akin's comments were offensive, outrageous, & wrong. I urge him to do the right thing & withdraw from MO Senate race now.”

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee: “Congressman Akin’s statements were wrong, offensive, and indefensible. I recognize that this is a difficult time for him, but over the next twenty-four hours, Congressman Akin should carefully consider what is best for him, his family, the Republican Party, and the values that he cares about and has fought for throughout his career in public service."

Nevada Sen. Dean Heller: "Todd Akin's comments were unquestionably inappropriate and absurd. He should not be the standard bearer for the Republican party in Missouri.”

Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison: “Like many Americans, I was deeply troubled by the comments made this weekend by Missouri Congressman Todd Akin. I can think of no justification for the remarks. I urge the congressman to reconsider whether his continued candidacy for the U.S. Senate is in the best interest of his constituents.”

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson: “Todd Akin’s statements are reprehensible and inexcusable. Gaining a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate and fixing the huge challenges that face our nation is more important than any one individual’s political ambitions. Todd Akin should do the right thing for the nation and step aside today, so Missouri Republicans can put forth a candidate that can win in November.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky): “Congressman Akin’s comments were totally inexcusable. What he said is just flat wrong in addition to being wildly offensive to any victim of sexual abuse. Although Representative Akin has apologized, I believe he should take time with his family to consider whether this statement will prevent him from effectively representing our party in this critical election.”

-- UPDATED 2:43 p.m.: In a new statement Tuesday, McConnell called on Akin to withdraw from the race. “Congressman Akin made a deeply offensive error at a time when his candidacy carries great consequence for the future of our country. In his heart of hearts, I’m certain that he is sincerely sorry for what he said but in this instance, when the future of our country is at stake, sorry is not sufficient. To continue serving his country in the honorable way he has served throughout his career, it is time for Congressman Akin to step aside.”

Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe: “Such extreme and ill-informed comments are particularly offensive to victims of sexual assault. In the wake of this incident, there is no doubt that Rep. Akin cannot – and should not – represent the Republican party in this fall's general election for United States Senator from Missouri, and it is appropriate for our party to deny him any and all funding should he decide not to step aside before today’s deadline.”